Chiseled frozen statues, an evening of chilling competition and a day of cool outdoor fun will be on tap as the Fifth Annual Sault Ste. Marie Downtown Winter Ice Festival returns on Saturday, February 15, 2020.
As with year’s past, frozen statues ranging from animals, cartoon characters and business logos will decorate downtown Sault Ste. Marie. On Saturday evening, the Farmers’ Market Square will bring back the ever-popular Ice Wars and a live competitive ice sculpting contest beginning at 6 pm.
Professional sculptures, use chisels, chainsaws, and blowtorches to transform blocks of ice into works of art. In previous years, over 40 sculptures have been created for the festival.
Talk about frozen pizza!
Some sculptures will sit outside of local businesses, while others will help create a gallery at the Farmers’ Market. In all, the frozen statues help create one of the most special times of year to take in the sights of downtown Sault Ste. Marie. The statues typically will be up as long as Mother Nature keeps the weather cool, which as we know, could be a week or could last over a month.
One of the more creative ice sculptures to be a part of previous festivals features a certain frozen cartoon mouse.
The Sault Ste. Marie Convention & Visitors Bureau and Downtown Development Authority sponsored Downtown Winter Ice Festival takes full advantage of Saturday, February 15th too! The whole day is an exciting, family-friendly experience. Wander downtown for a full afternoon of entertainment, and to see some of the statues that are completed before Ice Wars.
The Kid’s Penguin Parade is another fan-favorite event for all! Returning from last year’s Downtown Winter Ice Festival, the Penguin Parade will make you question if you’re in Antarctica or if you’re in Sault Ste. Marie. This year the parade is sponsored by Cup of the Day. The parade is tentatively slated to begin at 2 p.m. at Cup of the Day on Ashmun Street, include penguin costumes and hot cocoa. More details will be available here.
Also available this year will be the Kids Zone at the Farmers’ Market between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Kids will be able to receive a free toy out of a sculpture chiseled right before them. A free model train display will be open to the public, free of charge, at the Chippewa County Historical Society on 115 Ashmun St. too! The trains will be on display from noon until 6 p.m., and it’s a perfect chance to warm up.
Coming this year for the first time to the Ice Festival is the Abominable 3K Fun Challenge put on by Up North Nutrition & Gym 906. This early morning competition will begin at 9 a.m. will take full advantage of the winter conditions. Runners can expect to complete their 3K jaunt by navigating obstacles such as snow hills, with hot chocolate awaiting their arrival at the finish line. Race day registration begins at 8 a.m. at Gym 906.
For more information on the Downtown Winter Ice Festival be sure to visit here.
